Inside the Engine Room: Assessing Cabinet Committees, 1945-1966

<P>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</P><br>The aim of this research project was to provide a detailed guide of British cabinet structures over the period 1945-1966, in order:<br>
- to show the inter-relationship between the various committees and sub-committees<br>
- to examine the influences shaping the structure of the core policymaking executive <br>
- to assess how effectively the system coped with challenges and crises<br>
- to map committee membership and chairmanship for the period 1945-1966<br>
- to assess the use to which committees were put and the focus of power and influence within the system <br>
- to assess the relationship between the core machinery and the departments or the military where policymaking is implemented.<br><B>Main Topics</B>:<BR><br>This data collection comprises a database detailing 475 British cabinet committees of the period. It includes the title of the committee; the Public Record Office reference number; the chairman and members of the committee; the date of the first and last meeting; the total number of meetings held and a note field describing the terms of reference, taken from the documents.